The official reason we headed to South Dakota was for Nathan to publicly thank the Short-Winged Piper Club for three years of scholarships. They were holding their annual convention on Clyde Ice Field, the airport in Spearfish, SD. The kids and I were invited to attend as well. Nathan spoke genuinely and many of the members came to up to meet him and encourage him in his career. The most memorable part of the evening was the two native Lakota brothers who spoke of their culture and of danced traditional dances. The evening might not have been the traditional ten year anniversary celebration but it was a happy day with my husband and kids.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wild Bill in Deadwood
Ten
Today Nathan and I celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. Although it seems like just yesterday we were a blushing bride and a grinning groom, it's been ten years.
The years have been both filled and fulfilling. We've gone from a couple to a family of five. We've lived in three states at four addresses. We've bought and sold a home. I have had five part time jobs, substitute taught in 10 different classrooms, and yet claim full time homemaker as my career title. Nate has been employed as a teacher, soldier, principal, carpenter, machinist, and air craft mechanic. We still own the same car but have added a mini van as well.
Ten yeas ago we held hands, looked into each others eyes, and repeated the vows of Christian Marriage. I was certain that day that our love stretched was as far as the east is to the west. My heart could not contain the love that I felt for Nathan. Yet today that love is even more abundant. That love is still broad enough to span the globe. What has changed is the depth of the love. There is a depth that comes only when two heart share the days and years of marriage. A love that deepens with each joy, with each trial, with the addition of children to a marriage, with the link of working on a common goal, with the daily routine of putting the other first, with nightly prayers to the same loving Lord.
To borrow the words of an old song, "We come from a long line of love." Both sets of our parents have been married for over thirty years. Our grandparents marriages have all endured until death parted them. It's my prayer that someday the same can be said of us. Today ten years might seem long but someday looking back ten years will have only been the beginning. Happy Tenth Anniversary Nathan. I am honored to be your wife. I love you and look forward so much more with you.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Farewell Custer
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Bouldering Around Sylvan Lake
Heading around the lake to find some rocks to climb. |
Lydia found a place to climb up herself. |
There's Evan up top. |
Family photo! Looking through "the window" at more spires and the Hills beyond. |
One of our favorite places in SD is Custer State Park. If you visited us while we lived in SD I can almost guarantee that we took you to Sylvan Lake. It was so fun to take the kids and watch them be as amazed as so many guests were. The rock spires are amazing and beg to be climbed. We didn't do an technical climbing with ropes and gear but plenty of hiking and bouldering. If you're in the neighborhood definitely take the time to enjoy the Sylvan Lake area.
Supper at Smiths
Nate and Kim deep in conversation. |
Girl time! |
Wagon Racers. |
Kelly and our kids. So happy. |
Monday, June 27, 2011
Hiking along Box Elder Forks Creek
Box Elder Forks Campground
Nate and Lydia making oatmeal for breakfast. |
Grilling ham and cheese pudgie pies for lunch. |
The last sign of civilization. |
After a wonderful Sunday worship service, the church picnic, picking up firewood from the Prebles, and getting some groceries for the week, we found Camp Sweet Camp for the next few days. If you follow a dead-end road to the end, find the small National Forest Campground there, follow the circle drive all the way to the back, there you find the perfect place to pitch a tent. On one side we had a steep embankment covered with pines and on the other Box Elder Creek flowed past. We cooked over the fire, hiked, explored, and just savored the time in such a beautiful place.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
First Fabulous Hosts: Busches
On to Rapid City! Would you believe we spent hours laughing, playing, eating, visiting waaaay past bedtime and this is the only picture I have of our stay with the Busches? Too busy having too much fun! Thank you for being wonderful hosts, rearranging your house and schedules to accommodate us, and letting us pick up where we left off. That's one of the truest signs of friendship, no matter if it was five minutes or five years since the last visit, we just pick up where we left off. Thanks for your lasting friendship.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Corn Palace
Friday, June 24, 2011
Heading West
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